Landing-station for aircraft



P. J. BACKUS.

LANDING STATION FOR AIRCRAFT. APPLICATION FILED 050.27.1920.

Patented Aug. 23, 1921.

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3 PJBac/Y Z18 P. 1. BACKU'S. LANDING sumo" FOB AIRCRAFT. APPLICATION FILEDIDEC. 27, I920.

1,388,319. a ntedmg. 23,1921.

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PJBaeiYus P. 1 BACKUS.

LANDING STATION FOR AIRCRAFT.

APPLICATION FILED DEc.27,1920.

1 88,319, Patented Aug. 23, 1921..

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PATENT OFFICE.

PETER JAMES BACKUS, OI DELPHOS, OHIO.

LANDING-STATION FOR AIRCRAFT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 23, 1921.

Application filed December 27, 1920. Serial No. 433,367.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PETER JAMES BACKUS, a citizen of theUnited States, residing at Delphos, in the county of Allen and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Landing-Stations for Aircraft, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improvements in landing stations for aircraft, and it is primarily an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved station of this general character for use in connection with aeroplanes.

Another objectof the invention is to provide a novel and improved station of this general character embodying a circular trackway, together with means coacting therewith to facilitate a landing after nightfall.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved station of this general character embodying means to indicate the direction in which the wind is blowing so that the driver of the aircraft may determine the'best place for landing at the station.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved device of this general character embodying a landing trackway,- together with means to facilitate the location of the station and more especially after nightfall.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved landing station for aircraft whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed. 7

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a landing station constructed in accordance with one embodiment of my invention.

Figs. 2 and 3 are side elevations thereof. Fig. 4 is an enlarged side elevation of the upper port-ion of the tower and .the signal mounted thereon.

5 is a plan view thereof, and

F 'lgs. 6, 7, 8 and 9 are details views.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, denotes a circular trackway comprlsed 1n a station constructed or arranged 1n accordance with an embodiment of my invention'and which trackway is preferably substantially tWo miles in circumference 0r sllghtly over six-tenths of a mile in diameter. However, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact dimensions of th s trackway as the same may be varied as occasioned by the necessities and requirements of practice.

Disposed around the trackway and concentric thereto but spaced therefrom is a fencing F'including a downwardly and inwardly inclined wall or face 1.

Arranged within the field defined by' the trackway T and in relatively close proximity to the trackway T is an annularly disposed fencing F concentric to the trackway T and which also includes a.wall or face 2 inclined downwardly toward the trackway T. The upper or high marginal TDisposed entirely around the trackway T and at substantially its transverse center is a strip or marking 5 concentric to theaxial center of the trackway T and which serves as a guide for the aviator when making a landing, the aviator steering his machine in a manner tomaintain the fuselage or propeller above said line.

Erected at the axial center of the field defined by the trackway T is a tower A. The tower A may be of any height desired and is provided at its top with a horizontally disposed vane 6 of a relatively large size and which operates to indicate the direction from which the wind may be blow- The tower A supports above the axis of rotation of the vane 6 a lamp 7 of a searchlight type and which is arranged to direct a beam of light directly upward in a vertical direction. This lamp is adapted to throw beams of difierent colors, such as a white beam or a red beam, and the lamp is designed to be used after nightfall or when conditions are such to demand its use. A vertically disposed white beam of light from the lamp 7 not only serves to assist the aviator while flying to locate the station but also indicates that the landing-trackway T is clear. When the beam of light from the lamp 7 is red or a color other than white, such beam in addition to affording means to locate the station also indicates that. a landing is being made or the trackway T is occupied by an aircraft.

The vane 6, as before stated, indicates the direction from which the wind is blowing so that in making a landing the aviator can alight upon the trackway "T directly against the wind and which is of best advantage in effecting a landing.

To further facilitate a landing and particularl after nightfall, the vane 6,or more particu arly the tail portion thereof, carries a lamp 8 preferably of an electric Searchlight type which is so arranged as to throw its beam upon the trackway T at the transverse center thereof or upon the strip or marking .5 and in landing the aviator so maneuvers his craft as to strike the trackway at substantially the location where the beam from the lamp 8.comes into contact with the trackway.

As the wiring for the different lamps as herein embodied forms no particular part of my present invention, it is believed that a detai description'and illustration thereof is unnecessary as the requisite wiring may be effected in a manner which will best comply with the requirements of practice.

In ractice it is preferred that the trackway be of a width not less than three hundred feet so that it may be possible for two aeroplanes to make a landing at substantially the same time. By having the trackway of such Width, it is possible for two aeroplanes of one hundred and ten feet from tip to ti to readily pass.

The lncline walls or faces of the fencings F and F are of advantage in the event the aviator does not properly follow the trackway T and in which event either of the fencings will materially eliminate the possibility of the machine being wrecked.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a landing station for aircraft constructed in accordance with my invention is. particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. A landing station for aircraft comprising an annular trackway, a weather vane supported above the trackway and at substantially the axial center of the field defined by the trackway, and means carried by the vane for directing a beam of light -upon the trackway.

2. A landing station for aircraft comprising a trackway, a guide strip extending along said trackway, and a fencing extending along one side of the trackway and provided with a wall inclined downwardly toward the trackway.

3. A landing station for aircraft comprising a trackway. a guide strip extending along said trackway, and fencings arranged at each side of the trackway and extending therealong, each of said fencings being provided with a Wall inclining downwardly toward the trackway.

4. A landing station for aircraft comprising an annular trackway, a weather vane supported above the trackway and at substantially the axial" center of the field defined by the trackway, means carried by the vane for directing a beam of light upon the trackway, and means carried by the vane for upwardly directing the beam of light.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

PETER JAMES BACKUS. 

